LeeHealthPress Release

(Fort Myers, Fla. – Mar. 1, 2017) --- Lee Health’s Pharmacy Residency Program, which includes post-graduate year one (PGY-1) and post-graduate year two (PGY-2) education, is expanding. The PGY-1 residents will increase from four to six and the PGY-2 residents will double from two to four for the 2017-2018 residency class. Both programs are designed to build on the clinical, professional and leadership skills of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. PGY-1 sets the stage for an outstanding practice-based career, while PGY-2 includes advanced training in pediatrics, infectious diseases, critical care and health system pharmacy administration.

Florida has seven pharmacy schools that offer doctoral degrees, but none of the schools are in immediate geographic proximity to Lee Health. Through Lee Health’s Pharmacy Residency Program, which has been in existence since 2008, new pharmacists are trained in our region of the state, which provides opportunities for these highly-trained pharmacists to begin their careers in Southwest Florida.

“Lee Health is proud to bring quality pharmacists that aspire to enhance their capabilities in providing optimal patient care,” says John Armitstead, MS, BS, FASHP, system director, Lee Health Pharmacy. “Despite the lack of a Doctor of Pharmacy program in Southwest Florida, we have top graduates coming to our area to participate in Lee Health programs. It has been a great accomplishment to expand our program to additional populations and provide enhanced patient care to additional areas in Southwest Florida.”

The goal of this local program is to attract exceptional pharmacist candidates to our area in the hopes that, upon completion of the program, many will stay to practice in our community.

About Lee Health

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org